Blindsight



Bob and Devin

Blindsight, a metal band from Ilkeston, were a last minute addition to the Notts In A Nutshell line-up at The Maze on Monday night 21^st September.  Notts In A Nutshell is a regular occurrence at The Maze on Mansfield road, where unsigned local bands have a regular slot to play live, get exposure as well as experience.  Call it Community Service from a venue that is dedicated to promoting local talent. 

Henz

 A mate plays in Blindsight and there is nothing more nerve wrecking than going to support someone you know, as you may have that awkward moment where you have to truthfully but tactfully tell them what you thought of their performance.  It’s a tricky situation as people can pick up on even a hint of unenthusiasm.  There was no need for all this pre-gig worry, as Blindsight were good.  They were very very good.  The set was effortless. There was no forced shouting or ‘trying too hard’ that you get with some bands.  The guitar work was pure metal melody, just the way heavy metal should be played.       



Frontman Grant

Although the bands own songs are brilliant, they cleverly threw in a Metallica cover midway through their set.  Being a relatively unknown band, no-one knew their song lyrics, however, everyone knew the lyrics to Seek and Destroy and it got the crowd participation that is so important at a live gig. 

Scott

Blindsight have since ventured out of Ilkeston and have played at the Run To The Sun motorbike rally at Catton Hall as well as a few gigs in Nottingham city centre.  Their next gig is at The Maze on Monday the 12th December.  One not to be missed!

Henz and Bob

The Defiled Interview

Stitch from The Defiled



My interview with The Defiled was published by Left Lion http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/title/the-defiled/id/4003



The AvD from The Defiled

This Halloween Nottingham will be in for a TREAT when Tru-Metallers The Defiled once again rock out the city’s popular haunt for rock and metal gigs, Rock City. And yes, I meant Tru-Metallers and not Nu-Metallers. Prior to opening the Ronnie James Dio stage at Bloodstock this year, they got death threats for not being ‘true metal’. They proved their critics wrong, as The Defiled delivered a fervent, energetic, HEAVY, horn throwing set that did the great late RJD proud. 

The AvD with his keyboard smashing antics is as entertaining to interview as he is to watch on stage. Living the rock ‘n roll lifestyle, he had been partying for 4 days with no sleep when I interviewed him, and yet he was still full of charisma and energy. Lead singer Stitch D joins us and we chat about life in the band, "being in a band is all about the free stuff...oh and the blow jobs…" The boys showing their naughty and humorous side.



Vincent Hyde

The reality is, there have been no lucky breaks, just five years of pure hard work, phoning and emailing every day for gig opportunities. Their persistence paid off and there was a time when it seemed as if every gig I went to had The Defiled as a support band. Halloween will not be their first visit to Nottingham either, they have played Nottingham’s Rock City supporting Sonic Syndicate in The Basement way back in 2009, and have played the main stage when supporting Murderdolls earlier this year.



Aaron Curse

Now that they have their own fan base and are headlining shows, the hard work hasn’t stopped and there is no rest for the wicked. Offstage there are fans to mingle with, signings and interviews to do, as well as their involvement in all the other creative aspects such as designing the merch and creating their music videos. The video for The Resurrectionists is one of my favourites and was funded by the proceeds of an advert that The AvD appeared in.  The dark, yet fun and lively video perfectly captures the essence of The Defiled.

I remember seeing The Defiled for the first time a few years ago when they supported Deathstars on their UK tour. The AvD explained how they learnt a lot from the Deathstars, just watching what they do on stage. "They are so professional and really know how to put on a show. We watch, learn and deliver the type of show we would want to see live."

The Defiled may take tips from other bands, but they have a strong identity of their own and have a clear idea of what they like and what they want to project as a band. The uniforms were also a conscious decision right from the start, and evolved from their own personalities.  Lead singer Stitch D advised that they don’t wash their uniforms, and yes they do smell! It’s only when the uniforms are on and they get that sick feeling, that’s when they know they are ready to go on stage.

The Defiled clearly enjoy being on stage, so I asked The AvD if he enjoyed watching other bands live. He excitedly answered yes, it’s been his favourite thing to do since he was a kid.  Nine Inch Nails being his favourite live band… then he corrects himself, "Nine Inch Nails when they were on drugs.  When a band stops doing drugs and becomes sensible…." The bottom line is, he shares my passion for the kind of live music that gives you a natural high, pretty much what I feel when I am watching bands like The Defiled go wild on stage. He sums it up, "we’re not trying to be anything.  We play what we enjoy and we play the music we like".

Headlining the Jägermeister stage at Sonisphere this year was a turning point for the band.  Thinking that everyone would be watching Metallica, they came onstage to find a large crowd of dedicated The Defiled fans. It was a WOW moment.  It’s a far cry from back in the day when they used to wonder if anyone would pitch up at all!  Now they have people recognising them at metal festivals and gigs.



Some The Defiled fans at Bloodstock

The AvD loves meeting their fans and has a habit of taking some of them backstage after a show. He explains further, "even at signings, you want to meet the people that come and see you and not just sign a piece of paper. I know bands say this all the time, but it’s the only reason we’re anything."

Talking of Jägermeister, I asked The Avd how he likes his Jäger. He smiles and answers ‘Warm, out of the bottle’. Now that’s ‘true metal’!

Bloodstock

Being a Bloodstock virgin, it was with much excitement that I arrived on the Thursday evening with no pro-conceptions of 'previous years' to live up to.  I was so looking forward to seeing The Defiled on the Friday that I hadn't given any thought to the rest of the weekend's entertainment.  I was glad that I hadn't given the Thursday night a miss as Revoker and Beholder were an impressive taster of what the rest of the weekend would be like. 

Revoker

Beholder

The comedians Steve Hughes and Jason Rouse were hilarious.  Steve Hughes has an intelligent wit and canny observation of life, while Jason Rouse got everyone laughing with his unpolitically correct and crude humour.  One of many highlights of the weekend was having the pleasure of meeting and chatting with the naturally funny and genuinely nice guys.    

Jason Rouse

Steve Hughes

Friday, and my biggest highlight of the weekend were The Defiled who opened the Ronnie James Dio stage.  I got the opportunity to interview and photograph them which was the cherry on top. 

Stitch D from The Defiled

There were so many great bands that weekend, but the other one that caught my eye (and ears) was Hammerfall. 

 

Hammerfall



Hammerfall

Then there was Devin Townsend who pulls the funniest facial expressions on stage.  Every picture of him is a gem.  

Devin Townsend Project



Morbid Angel -- now that's a guitar!!!

A nice surprise was seeing Napalm Death on stage as they conjure up nostalgia of my teenage punk days. 

Napalm Death

Although there was much controversy over Motorhead's performance at Bloodstock, I felt much love and respect for Lemmy as he growled their intro 'We are Motorhead and we play Rock n Roll'.  After The Defiled got death threats for not being 'metal'enough for Bloodstock, I loved the fact that he openly flaunts that Motorhead are not a metal band and yet there isn't a single soul that would look Lemmy in the eye and tell him he wasn't metal enough.  I know I had the most Rock n Roll weekend at the metal of all festivals and next year I will be back - but this time with a lot of pre-conceptions and one helluva party to live up to!

Iron Maiden

THE FINAL FRONTIER WORLD TOUR 2011

Nottingham Arena 27 July 2011

 

 Iron Maiden

Despite my whining that Trivium weren't supporting Iron Maiden in Notts, I couldn't have enjoyed the night anymore if they had.  Airbourne rocked the arena!!!  My only regret was that I was in a box seat instead of the standing space on the floor, as Airbourne made me want to dance and jump up and down.  They are not a band to see sitting down.  Playing shirtless, lead guitarist and vocalist Joel O’Keeffe is a pleasure to watch on stage as he thrusts his guitar into the air, or slides onto his knees and plays his guitar with passion.  What a brilliant start which was really needed as Iron Maiden started their set off quite slowly, only really playing one song in the beginning that I recognised, and that was Two Minutes to Midnight.  I was mostly fixated on Janick Gers who is such a character on stage, posing and pulling all the rock star moves.  He has an amazing stage persona, and bundles of energy. 

Airbourne



Airbourne



Airbourne

Things livened up considerably when Iron Maiden played Iron Maiden.  Clearly it wasn’t just my favourite Maiden song as the crowd went wild!  Sometimes you could barely hear the band for the crowd singing along or cheering so loudly.  It created such an amazing atmosphere.  That could well have been the highlight of my night…until Eddie strutted on stage…..  He jammed with the band and his visit on stage was way too short.  He did make another theatrical appearance as a giant Eddie head rising up from behind the stage creating the most spectacular backdrop.  The stage setting and props were very well done, with another beastly prop for The Number of the Beast.     

Eddie jamming with Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden

Number of the Beast set. Iron Maiden

What an absolutely brilliant evening with two superb bands.  So what did it for me in the end, Rock n Roll or Metal?  In the first half of the Maiden set I had Airbourne down as my firm favourite for the night.  The turning point was towards the end when Iron Maiden played Iron Maiden and the whole atmosphere changed and it was Eddie and Metal that ruled the night.

Eddie

What am I Looking Forward To..... Iron Maiden, Bloodstock, OC/DC

Iron Maiden

Notingham Arena, 27th July

They are supported by Airbourne, who put on a helluva show.  I am however a bit gutted that Trivium, who are supporting them on one of their London dates, aren't supporting them in Notts.  Still, this is an evening I am very much looking forward to.

Notley Crue and OCDC

The Running Horse, Nottingham, 30th July     

OCDC are so spot on as an AC/DC tribute band.  Notley Crue should be awesome to photograph. 

Bloodstock Open Air Festival

August 12^th to the 14^th, Catton Hall, Derbyshire

To be the opening support band on the Ronnie James Dio stage at Bloodstock on Friday 12^th August, must be the ultimate support slot for The Defiled.  In the two years I have been following them, they have grown from a support band, to gathering a young following of their own.  Still, it must be the ultimate honour to be playing on the same stage as established heavy metal bands such as Exodus, Wasp and Motörhead. 

The Defiled

There are three stages at Bloodstock, which cater for every taste in Heavy Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal and Power Metal – the emphasis being on METAL.  It’s the one festival where you know Biffy Clyro will NEVER be on stage, let alone a headlining act.

Playing alongside bands from all over the world is Derbyshire’s own one man metal band, Foul Body Autopsy who will be playing on the New Blood stage on the Saturday. 

One man metal band Foul Body Autopsy

Horns to a wicked line-up at Bloodstock.  

http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/

 

OCDC



Sonisphere 2011

See my Soni review on the Rock and Metal News site http://www.rockandmetalnews.com/index.php?prod_id=1211

Friday afternoon at Sonisphere I walked into the arena to Diamond Head playing Am I Evil.  It would be much later that evening that Brian Tatler, Diamond Head guitarist and co-writer of Am I Evil, would join the Big 4 on stage for the ultimate climax of the day.  To have Anthrax,  Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica playing together at the same festival is mind blowing enough, but to have the Big 4 on stage at the same time playing Am I Evil, was out of this world! 

The theme of any metal festival or gig are the size of the circle pits and The Wall of Death, so it was appropriate that Anthrax started off their set with Caught In a Mosh.  Slayer and Metallica were amazing on the big stage, but nestled in-between them and playing on the much smaller Jägermeister stage, were one of my favourites of the weekend, The Defiled.  They were brilliant at Soni last year, and having seen them live several times indoors, I really enjoyed seeing them outdoors this year.  The gentle downhill slope to the Jägermeister stage ensured a perfect view of band and they looked great on stage. 

Saturday morning was the first time that I actually enjoyed seeing Sylosis live.  I love their music, but usually find them quite bland live.  Watching them on the large stage, close to the front with a cup of coffee, I couldn’t think of a better way to wake up on a Saturday morning after a fantastic Friday line-up.  Richard Cheese was a funny follow up to Sylosis, but the crowd loved him and he made everyone cheer when he tried to get the security guards to do a step and kick line dance.  Gallows followed with the biggest mosh pit I saw that weekend.  I watched a bit of Cavalera Conspiracy who were great, but I wanted to see Panic Cell play their last gig.  There was a lot of Jäger drinking on stage, which reminded me of the first time I saw them, where bottles of Jäger were being passed around the audience and saying No to a swig from the bottle wasn't an option.  It was therefore fitting that their last gig was on the Jäger stage and they did the Jäger proud! 

The Bohemia stage proved to be very popular and I missed out on Steve-O and Gojira on the Saturday.  I therefore made sure that I got to the Bohemia tent in good time to get in for The Sisters of Mercy.  They opened spectacularly with smoke machines that filled the tent with a hazy mist, and the purple and red lights lent an eerie gothic atmosphere.  Playing all the favourites, Dominion, Lucrecia My Reflection and Temple of Love, this was the highlight of my Saturday.  The Sisters of Mercy were every bit as good as I had imagined they would be and my most surreal moment. 

I missed Howard Mark’s Sunday Sermon, so it was Black Tide that started my Sunday off with a hot intro by their drummer.  Guitarist Austin Diaz pulls some pretty awesome moves with his axe.  Sunday got more powerful with Feed The Rhino who were insane both on the stage, or off the stage with lead singer Lee Tobin crowd surfing.  The powerful performances continued with Parkway Drive who were immense.  Guitarist Luke Kilpatrick played despite having a broken leg.  Him playing in a wheelchair on stage just added to the craziness.  As crazy antics go, the frontman for Airbourne climbed several metres to the top of the stage and continued performing.   I was too far back in the arena to see Motorhead, but they sounded great.  This is why I prefer the smaller stages, as you actually get to see the band on the stage rather than on a big screen.  The Jägermeister stage was one of my favourite smaller stages, and the last band I saw on there was Anterior who were really really good.  I got drenched during Bill Bailey so went back to my tent soaking wet and cold, and listened to Slipknot in a tent behind the arena.      

Highlights of the weekend: The Big 4 doing Am I Evil, The Defiled (full set), Feed The Rhino (full set), The Sister’s of Mercy. 

Soni Lows: Not being able to get in to the Bohemia tent to see Gojira or Cancer Bats.  Festival organisers don’t seem to realise just how popular Cancer Bats are – they belong on a big stage!

MR NICE Howard Marks



The poster read, Mr Nice An evening with Howard Marks … the man, the legend & the nicest international criminal you could hope to meet’.  The venue was the trendy Home loungebar and restaurant in Arnold, Nottingham.  It was an unusual choice of venue to host a night with someone who was at one time one of the most wanted dope dealers in Europe and America.  I imagined the perfect setting to hear a reading from Howard Marks would have been a softly lit room, with incense burning, and an audience of weed smoking non-conformists hanging on to his every word.  Instead it was a very noisy bar with no atmosphere and a very average looking audience.  No hippies, no mohicans, no dreadlocks, no out of work stereotype ‘weed smokers’ but rather trendily dressed locals who asked him the type of questions you’d expect from Ok or Hello readers such as ‘Have you slept with anyone famous?’.  It’s not really the type of question you would expect to be posed to a one time most wanted ‘criminal’.  Howard Marks himself commented that he difficulty recognising his core audience.    

 

Howard Marks

One thing was for sure, the 200 strong audience weren’t weed smoking hippies or drug addicts, but average ‘good citizens’  Some who just don’t buy into the concept that we need governments deciding that a naturally grown plant is ‘bad’ and that someone should be arrested for smoking something that makes them feel good.  To clarify, I am not a weed smoker, but I am pro-choice and believe everyone has a right to choose their own path in life and make their own decisions.  I don’t believe that weed is any more harmful than alcohol or smoking cigarettes.  As a taxpayer, I would like to see my tax money going on catching real criminals, paedophiles, rapists, burglars, not going after someone who after a long day at work wants to smoke a spliff in the same way I enjoy a cider or a glass of wine.  I also believe that by making something illegal it sustains a life of gangs, drug barons, unnecessary killing, drug wars, and natural plant life being grown uncontrolled with pesticides and goodness knows what other poisons added to it for bulk.  It means that a natural form of plant life that can create hallucinations is turned into a poison.  I am not saying that weed hasn’t lead to drug addiction for some people, but then alcohol, which is enjoyed modestly by some, makes alcoholics and violent criminals out of others.
    

Howard Marks

I am also sure that most of the audience were there out of curiosity, a bit like me.  I love reading autobiographies and had read the book Mr Nice, enjoyed the movie and had seen Howard Marks on TV in a documentary.  Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction and I love reading about other people’s lives, you just can’t make this stuff up!  He is a fascinating man who has lived such a bizarre and crazy life.  If anything, I see him as a canny businessman and not as a criminal.  Howard Marks has been smoking weed for 47 years and is still coherent, intelligent, funny, witty, charming, polite and has old school manners.  After his talk, he signed our books and was so very sweet.  He could not have chosen a more suitable alias – he is Mr Nice.

Howard Marks